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Police said that Mendoza died at Del Sol Medical Center and the girls died at University Medical Center of El Paso.

Perla Mendoza, 22, who was carrying her infant daughter, and Lizette Gomez, 33, escaped the burning apartment through the front door, according to police.

The fire broke out at about 4:30 a.m. in the 9500 block of Sims Drive, authorities said. A cause of the fire is under investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Three girls sustained critical injuries during an early-morning fire in East El Paso on Monday, fire officials said.

The El Paso Fire Department responded to a fire at an apartment complex along the 9500 block of Sims Drive at about 4:40 a.m. When firefighters arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from one apartment.

A woman, carrying an infant, was able to get herself and the child out of the burning apartment. She told firefighters there were three other children in the burning building.

Firefighters were able to evacuate the girls, with approximate ages of 3, 11 and 16, and all three were transported to a hospital with critical injuries, fire officials said. Fire officials said they couldn't release specific details about their injuries.

The infant was also transported but with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Eighteen fire units and 40 firefighters responded to the incident. The fire was contained by 5:15 a.m.